In No Particular Order....

Happy Easter! This is as close to a portrait as we could get with Little Miss On the Move!











Daddy shares one of his summer loves with Violet-- STRAWBERRIES!!










This was what we originally envisioned for this table and chairs when we gave it to Amelie for her 2nd birthday.












That hair! It's so crazy!!








Ice Skating lesson number one.














Amelie's Dinosaur Cake!!










The birthday girl participating in the Dinosaur Hunt at her party.












William got added to the row o' carseats a few weeks ago. We're super excited to be able to have friends in our new van! (There were three empty seats behind them even!!)

New (Customized) Template

So whadaya think? I was getting tired of the old one and I'm thinking since soon I'll be blogging about a BOY, that the pink had to go. I needed to be more gender neutral. I'm interested in hearing your opinions.

Drumroll please............

.............IT'S A BOY!!!!!!
Even better, he looks completely normal and healthy at this point.
We're thrilled. Duncan said he was a tad worried about being outnumbered 4-1. He said 3-2 seems a bit better. I don't think it's really sunk in for me just yet. Yet it's a little easier to imagine what life will be like, now that we know the gender.
In other news, we've transitioned from using a Windows operating system to using a Linux OS. (It's so great to be married to a computer nerd.) Once I learn how to work with pictures, I'll share some from Easter and other recent events. (Maybe I'll even scan in the ultrasound picture!)

I got IT on e-bay!

I've been looking for this dress for quite some time. Ever since I saw it on The Trixie Update last year, I've wanted to have one for my girls. It's so adorable!! This is a 2T and will obviously be for Violet. Now for a 4T and the knee socks for both! And we'll be all set! (I seem to be developing an e-bay problem, by the way.)

i'm baaa-aaack...i think

The title is in lower-case letters, because I'm really not sure. But, I've hit 14 weeks into this pregnancy and I think I'm starting to feel better. I seem to have more frequent bursts of energy, at the very least. The following is a list of things going on with us these days, that I've thought about using as a topic for blogging. So, let's play catch-up:
1. Violet is walking, falling A LOT, but getting better every day.
2. Amelie is pretty well potty trained during the day and seems to wet the bed at least once a week, but has started waking up because of it, which is a step in the right direction, I believe.
3. Violet has gotten her two top front teeth in the last month, so that she now has a total of 4!
4. Speaking of teeth, Amelie went to the dentist for the first time last week and did so well, that she almost made her mama cry because she was so proud.
4. Violet's language is exploding, and we're amazed each day, as her understanding of what we say to her.
5. After visiting the ice rink with Grandma and Grandpa back in February, Amelie decided she wanted to ice skate. So for four Thursday, half-hour sessions, she'll be giving it a whirl in April.
6. Violet has finally reached 20 pounds, so we can turn her car seat around, which we'll do...
7. when we get our new van tomorrow! We bought an 8-seater 2005 Toyota Sienna. Amelie seems even more excited than her parents. ("This is the best car I've ever seen! I LOVE this car!!")
8. We've decided to enroll Amelie in pre-school, for the Fall (Tuesdays and Thursdays, for 9-12).
9. Violet has discovered the fun of the stairs! She's had to be disciplined because of it. She's quite the heart breaker, after she's been told NO with a stern voice.
10. I'm going to our church's Women's Retreat this coming weekend, which will be my first night away from Violet Ella (who was completely weaned about a month ago) *sigh*

Those are the biggies for us right now. We're plugging along at this thing called life, with many great successes and plenty of failures along the way. I hope this finds you well, dear reader. Thanks for coming back.

A Potpourri of Pictures

A smattering of what I took off the camera and organized on the computer this weekend. Enjoy.





Amelie and friends napping on the stairs.


















Amelie's 3rd Birthday (after dinner, STILL in pjs, since she was sick =( )












Amelie sledding down the hill between ours and William's yard













Violet's first birthday party










Violet eating her birthday cupcake. (I'm not a fan of the 1 year old going at the whole cake.)

I promise I'll be at this again soon...

I don't want to whine or complain, because being exhausted in a good sign at 10.5 weeks pregnant and, in some ways, I'm quite thankful for it. It's just that I currently have no energy beyond what I need to clothe and feed my children (and even that's stretching it!) Praise God for my sweet husband who works all day and then comes home and willingly, and even cheerfully, picks up the slack. He's gotta be ready for the 2nd trimester energy boost that I historically have. While I feel a gnawingness (I know that's not a word, but you know what I mean) to post something witty or profound, it's just not happening right now. I've got gazillions of pictures still on the camera...even more to put on our photo website...and it's just not happening right now. So, hopefully, within a couple of weeks, I'll be "back" for several months, at least. And then, Lord willing, life with three kids will begin. We'll see how blogging goes then. So keep checking!

No, No Birthday Party Pics Yet...

...since it hasn't happened and isn't in the foreseeable future! Duncan and Violet are now sick and Amelie's postponed party has now been postponed!

I saw this on someone's blog and thought it was cute. I personally like my soap opera name the best. Enjoy!


MY NINE NAMES

1. YOUR REAL NAME:
Nancy

2. YOUR GANGSTA NAME: (first 3 letters of real name plus izzle.) Nanizzle

3. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (fav color and fav animal)
Purple Dog

4. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, and current street)
Lynn Overbrook

5. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first name, last 3 letters of mom's maiden name)
Salnalof

6. YOUR SUPERHERO NAME: (2nd favorite color, favorite drink).
Pink Coffee

7. YOUR IRAQI NAME: (2nd letter of your first name, 3rd letter of your last name, any letter of your middle name, 2nd letter of your moms maiden name, 3rd letter of you dads middle name, 1st letter of a siblings first name, last letter of your moms middle name)
Alyonkl

8. YOUR WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (mothers middle name)
Gail

9. YOUR GOTH NAME: (black, and the name of one your pets)
Black Peter

Unintentional Hiatus

Sorry for the lack o' posts of late. I'm EXHAUSTED and don't really even have energy to do the things I need to do, such as feed and dress my children. (Those things do manage to get done, however.) Needless to say, what WAS my blogging time has become my NAP time. I promise to put up b-day party pictures after Amelie's "DINO"mite party next Monday. I think I'll do a Salada girl birthday photo montage. How does that sound? Enticing? If so, check back soon!

Happy Day After Valentine's Day

To make some of your own, you can go here .

Violet Ella Turns One!!

We are amazed that a year has already gone by since our Violet was born. She brings us so much joy! Here's to many, many more, Baby V!!






The result of cupcake number one at lunchtime with Grandma Barb and Grandpa Ed.














What better way to celebrate than with chocolate cake and buttercream frosting (and no bib!! I seriously need to do some laundry!)?













gonna get daddy!!







One year ago, at just about this time, this picture was taken. To date, it has the most hits on our photo website. Violet weighed 10 lb. 10.5 oz. at birth. (We'll find out on Tuesday for sure, but I don't think she's even doubled her weight yet.)











the presents













Violet tries out her newly-painted chair.

and baby makes...five

So yeah, congrats to all who took the time to figure out the Saladinci Code. I am currently in my 7th week of pregnancy, yet continue to have spotting. Duncan says he thinks I'm just leaky. Gross, I know. I had an ultrasound yesterday and saw the "flicker." You know, that teeny tiny heartbeat. Way cool. Will keep you posted.
3 children 3 and under. What a scary, yet marvelous thought! Mid-September is what we're looking at. How strange to NOT have a baby in February! I wonder what that's like...
Gotta go. A poopy diaper clearly needs to be changed. (I will put a peppermint in my mouth first. It really works in preventing the dry heaves!)

Doesn't anyone wonder about the red and blue letters in my previous post? Obviously, none of you are DaVinci Code fans.

On Whom Do I Rely?

I'm a mess. An absolute mess. We dropped Duncan off at the airport this noon for a four day business trip.

I wrote the above on Saturday afternoon. It is now late Monday night, no wait, it's just about Tuesday morning. Yup, the clock just changed. Duncan is scheduled to be back with us in about 31 hours. I very much look forward to having him back.
In the 6 and half years we've been married, before this trip, we'd been apart for 15 nights. Only one of those nights was after we had kids and it was when I was in the hospital after having Violet. We just don't spend time without one another. I think that's a good thing.

However, the last thing Duncan said to me, as I said my teary goodbye, was this: "Your hope is not in me. Your hope is in Jesus Christ." This truth, thrown in my face, hasn't made me miss Duncan any less, yet it has helped me focus on my hope. To top it off, I've been going through something VERY difficult and I've had to do it "by myself."

But I haven't been by myself.

My Lord has been with me and He's sent me support in many forms--loving parents who hosted the girls and I for a "snowed in slumber party" last night; a dear friend who has called on me, cared for me, eaten cake with me, and spent the night here on Saturday; neighbors and friends who call to make sure I'm not stuck in the snow when they notice my car isn't home when it should be and who host us for dinner and fellowship; friends from church inviting us for lunch after worship upon hearing Duncan was away and I was struggling...

You see, my sweet husband didn't arrange any of these things for me, but my Heavenly Father, the only One on Whom I can COMPLETELY rely, arranged these blessings for me. He knew what I'd needed and planned things perfectly.

Do I look forward to hugging my husband at 7:00am Wednesday (tomorrow!!) morning? Absolutely.

But through this trial, the Lord has grown me, stretched me and drawn me closer to Him. Praise Him!!

On Faith

At 12, her dad died suddenly. A heart attack, I think. I'm not sure because I didn't know her then. Her mom was left to raise her and her little brother on her own.

While in her late twenties, her mother lost a relatively short battle with cancer. An orphan before she was thirty. I can't even imagine. Now, she and her brother, and their respective families were all that was left of their tiny family.

Not even two hours ago, I got off of the phone with her. As it turns out, one month ago today, the day before her 33rd birthday, her brother, a 26-year old husband and father of two, was killed in a roof collapse of a mine near Morgantown, WV, their hometown.

Stunned. Shocked. In awe.
That's how I feel. How must she feel?

"It's a strange life," she said. Yes, sweet lady, it is. I can't begin to think of how she must feel. Sad, she said. Deeply sad. Yet her faith rings through. Loud and clear. "God's will is perfect," she says. "And there must be good that will come from this." Now THAT is faith.

Please pray for my friend, Kirstin.

Birthday Reflections and Photo Essay

So now I'm 31. Sharing a birthday with MLK has had its benefits over the years. Currently, it means my husband has a three-day weekend near my birthday or, in the case of this year, he was off on my actual birthday. It was a day full of celebration with my family and it was wonderful. As I reflect on my life, I feel overwhelmed with the amount of blessing that has been poured onto me. I am so thankful for my calling as a wife and stay-at-home mom. I am so thankful for my family and friends. I am so thankful for our church family and for God leading us there more than five years ago. I am so thankful for my relationship with the Lord. I could go on and on. My hope and prayer is that this attitude of thankfulness will continue beyond this day and will permeate everything I do--that when grumbling creeps in, I will be able to remember how incredibly blessed I am.

Below are some of my favorite from today.

Amelie helps me open my present while Violet holds onto my birthday bone--a special gift from my sweet Amelie.











Which one's Ben and which one's Jerry?













Amelie and I as we enjoy an al fresco lunch in Annapolis--on MY birthday? Can't say that's ever happened before!











Violet got a kiss from Daddy during lunch.













Violet definitely enjoyed her first taste of ice cream--and she hasn't even turned one yet!












Amelie eating her first all-by-herself ice cream cone.












Grace, my treasured friend, giving me some garnet earrings.












Amelie helps me blow out my candle while Violet looks on--you're next sweet girl!

New Year's Resolutions

At first I thought, "Aren't I two weeks late for these?" and then I realized that MY new year starts tomorrow. Perhaps I'll make this a traditions. I'll spend two weeks, mulling over what I resolve to do, maybe try out a few and then formalize a list on January 14th, the eve of my birthday. So here goes:

I, Nancy Lynn Salada, as I conclude my 31st year and begin my 32nd year (I'll be 31, so isn't this true?), do hereby resolve to do the following:
1. Spend more time, one-on-one, with my children--especially Violet--and reading to her in particular
2. Work out at Curves 3 times a week (at least 2 times per week being before Duncan leaves for work)
3. Do Dance, Dance, Revolution 2 times per week.
4. Only read blogs, google news, etc. when my kids are asleep or not directly in my care.
5. Have a baby. (O.K. so maybe not a resolution, but a desire, nonetheless.)

There you go. I've started work on most of them...won't tell you which ones, however =).
So what have YOU resolved to do?

Why Tulipa Murillo?

I love tulips. Amelie often used to look at this coffee table book about tulips that I have. She would carefully turn the pages and pore over the stunning photography it contained. When I started this blog, back in September 2005, I struggled to come up with a name for it. It seemed like an important decision. One that would define me to all of my readers. (All 3 of you.) I guess you could say I wimped out because I decided to use the scientific name for one of the tulips in the book. I asked Amelie to choose one and this is what she chose. (Not this photo, but one of this same kind of tulip.)
As I've gotten more into the blogging thing, both my own and the blogs of others, I've considered changing the name of mine to something more fitting. I still can't think anything that works for me. So, I suppose it stays as TULIPA MURILLO. We'll all just have to be o.k. with that -- for now, at least.

Christmas Card Picture--a little too late

So this is about what we were going for around Christmas card picture time. Add some red velvet dresses or at least some church clothes, and it would have been perfect. Oh well. Maybe next year. (I do like the one we used this year, with all four of us, it's just that this is what I had originally intended.)

Picture Extravaganza

A feast for the eyes! These are some of my favorites that we took over the holidays. For more, check out www.salada.net. Look for a special "Christmas" category under December and notice there's a 2007 category already! (Aren't I on the ball?) And, as always, if I know you and you don't have the user name/password, please e-mail me!


Captions: Amelie and Duncan Sudokuing last Saturday morning * Duncan and his two brothers, Ian and Charles * NTP Kids' picture from Amelie's perspective * Ducky and Violet (and the ducky bells we gave her in the background) * Amelie eating a peanut butter cup for breakfast * the NTP kids picture * Birdie Grandpa and Violet * Grandpa Bob with the girls and Duncan first thing on Christmas morning (can't you tell?) * Amelie and Kathryn with their wands * at Chagrin Falls * Amelie and Duncan taking tea together (oh yeah, and still sudokuing) * Amelie's "new" doll carrier (it was mine as a kid) * Violet's fancy hair that she did all by herself (with the help of some pears) * slug * Ducky and Amelie doing the dishes